Spring in Charlottesville is a magical time, bringing vibrant blooms, warmer weather, and an array of family-friendly festivals perfect for making memories. Whether you’re looking for live music, hands-on activities for kids, or a celebration of local arts and culture, there’s something for everyone. Here’s a roundup of Charlottesville’s top spring festivals you won’t want to miss in 2025. You might even mark your calendar for year-round family fun with our Guide to Central Virginia Annual Festivals.
1. Tom Tom Festival
When: April 15–21, 2025
Where: Downtown Charlottesville
Why Go: The Tom Tom Festival blends music, art, food, and innovation, creating an inspiring atmosphere for the whole family. With street performances, food trucks, art installations, and community talks, it’s a fantastic way to experience the creative energy of Charlottesville. Families with kids can enjoy special interactive art workshops, live storytelling sessions, and kid-friendly concerts.
CharlottesvilleFamily Magazine is also excited to share that we are hosting an event, “Raising Happy Connected Kids in the Digital Age” as part of Tom Tom 2025. Our publisher, Jennifer Bryerton, and two of our favorite columnists, Marc Boston and Dr. Cara Goodwin, will be leading a panel discussion at St. Anne’s-Belfield School with TYDE and Youth-Nex about Jonathan Haidt’s book, The Anxious Generation.
2. Crozet Spring Arts & Crafts Festival
When: May 11–12, 2025 • 10 am–5 pm
Where: Claudius Crozet Park
Why Go: This juried arts and crafts extravaganza is a Charlottesville area festival must-visit for families who love local handmade goods. With over 120 artists, live music, food trucks, and kid-friendly activities, it’s a wonderful way to support local artisans while enjoying a fun-filled day in Crozet. Kids will love the face painting, puppet shows, and art stations where they can create their own masterpieces. CharlottesvilleFamily Magazine is proud to be a long-time sponsor of Crozet Arts & Crafts Festival.
3. Kid*Vention
When: April 26, 2025 • 9 am–1 pm
Where: Virginia Discovery Museum
Why Go: Kid*Vention is Charlottesville’s ultimate science and nature festival for young explorers! Hosted by the Virginia Discovery Museum, it features STEM exhibits, live animal encounters, and hands-on experiments designed to spark curiosity and learning in kids of all ages. Special areas include a sensory-friendly play zone and a tinker lab for building projects. CharlottesvilleFamily Magazine is also a proud sponsor of this popular spring festival for families and will have publications available at the event.
5. Rivanna Riverfest
When: May 10, 2025 • 10 am – 3 pm
Where: Rivanna River, Charlottesville
Why Go: Celebrate the beauty of the Rivanna River with a day of canoeing, kayaking, live music, and environmental education. Families can participate in river cleanups, nature walks, and water-based activities, making it a great way to enjoy the outdoors and give back to the environment. This is a classic Charlottesville spring festival for everyone to enjoy! Kids will have fun with fish release programs, nature scavenger hunts and hands-on wildlife exhibits.
6. Party in the Park
When: April 27, 2025 • 1pm – 5 pm
Where: Pen Park
Why Go: Bennett’s Village, along with Charlottesville Parks and Recreation and Josie’s Way, are excited to welcome community members, businesses, allied partner organizations, and families to Party in the Park, a celebratory event. This family-friendly event will be held adjacent to the site of Bennett’s Village Playspace, including the newly opened accessible Treehouse and paved Josie’s Way trailhead. This event is designed to encourage attendees to engage with accessible play elements, learn about inclusive design and the benefits offered to everyone, and build excitement for the multi-acre playspace that is in development. Hands-on activities, music, food trucks and interactive programming for families make this a fun-filled day.
7. Historic Garden Week in Charlottesville
When: April 26–May 3, 2025
Where: Various gardens and historic sites around Charlottesville and Albemarle
Why Go: Hosted by the Garden Club of Virginia, Historic Garden Week opens the doors to some of the most stunning private gardens, historic homes, and landscapes in the region. It’s a perfect event for those who love beautiful homes, decor and gardens. Not typically an event for kids, this is a great opportunity to go out for the day with friends.
8. Botanical Garden of the Piedmont Spring Celebration
When: April 26, 2025 • 11 am – 3 pm
Where: Botanical Garden of the Piedmont, Charlottesville
Why Go: This free, family-friendly celebration welcomes spring with garden tours, live music, interactive nature exhibits, and hands-on gardening activities for kids. Families can explore the beautiful native plant landscapes, participate in a butterfly release, and enjoy nature-themed crafts. Kids will also love the storytelling sessions and scavenger hunts to encourage outdoor exploration. Come see CharlottesvilleFamily for an extra special activity at this popular spring festival. Our publisher, Jennifer Bryerton, will be leading her popular turtle talk where you can learn all about our native Eastern Box Turtle plus meet one in person!
Plan Your Spring Festival Fun!
Charlottesville’s spring festivals offer a perfect mix of outdoor adventure, arts, culture, and hands-on fun for families. Whether you’re watching a parade, exploring historic gardens, or paddling down the Rivanna, these festivals make the season unforgettable. Mark your calendars and get ready for a spring full of fun!
ELLEN SEWELL is the Associate Editor at CharlottesvilleFamily Magazine, bringing a wealth of experience in communications and media to the publication. She holds a degree in Communications and PR/Journalism from the University of Lynchburg, which has equipped her with a keen understanding of effective storytelling and audience engagement. Ellen has a particular passion for interviewing local individuals who are making a positive impact in the community, and she excels at sharing events and resources with fellow parents. Her insightful articles and features have become a valued resource for families in Central Virginia. Beyond her editorial work, Ellen is a mother of three young children and enjoys exploring museums, playgrounds, and outdoor attractions with her children, reflecting her commitment to hands-on learning and active family life.
